Principles in perfect harmony with All-America City

When the idea was raised for Sarasota County to submit an application for the 2013 All-America City (AAC) Awards, The Patterson Foundation helped accelerate the collaboration among our community leaders by highlighting innovative projects that have impacted our community throughout the past five years.

Why were we working in collaboration with others to serve as a catalyst?

In addition to valuing our community’s outstanding accomplishments and assets, we also recognize and support the shared connections between our tenets, as a private foundation whose work touches our community and beyond, and the All-America City criteria.

These common principles were clearly resonating through Sarasota County's community-driven projects:

Collaboration - The Patterson Foundation's Legacy of Valor community partnering campaign with local schools, civic, and military groups as well as the unique partnership with the National Cemetery Administration to create Patriot Plaza at Sarasota National Cemetery will provide a model for other communities to adapt as they seek to honor their veterans.

Inclusiveness - Being the leader and change agent for positive aging, the Institute for the Ages acknowledges the invaluable input and insight Sarasota County's aging demographic has to offer in defining the future for our rapidly aging population.

Innovative - Strengthened through the community's resources, North Sarasota Library is providing transformational programs that foster inspiration and intelligence for community youth.

Impact - Each of our community-driven projects deliver impact. From honoring our veterans and their families for their sacrifices to becoming a test-bed for aging innovation with global repercussions to the life-changing, community-fueled literacy and community-building success - the ripple effects have far-reaching potential to inspire others.

Judging by the enthusiasm and spirit of our team delegation, our ultimate goal is to bring back an All-America City Award for Sarasota County in June. But, certainly, the opportunity to learn, share and engage with other communities and acknowledge the successes of many is also reason enough to be a catalyst for collaboration for the All-America City Awards.

Be sure to support our team and follow our journey via Twitter @ThePattersonFdn @AllAmericaCity #allamericacity!